Notes: Hidden Marsh is one of the newer distilleries in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, producing artisanal products on a small scale. They also produce an outstanding vodka made from honey called Bee Vodka and and an aged honey brandy called Queens Flight Honey Brandy along with a new corn whiskey called Judd’s Wreckin’ Ball Whiskey

Appearance: Straw colored, a trace more yellow than a cognac of similar age: very small particles/sediment – but you have to look hard. Light coating on the glass when you swirl it, a crenellated edge on swirling with long thin legs developing after a bit.

First Impression: Subtle apple and vanilla scents and undertones of oak, pepper and hints of leather, tobacco, from the wood aging.

Taste: Apples,vanilla and lingering notes of tobacco, char, leather that develop after a bit. As it is only aged for 1 year it still tastes and smells strongly of apples (in a nice way) the wood has not overwhelmed the apple tastes but is extremely smooth. A lot of calvados this age tastes like it would take the paint off a car.

Drinks: We tried a a number of drinks, calvados-based, cognac-based and a number of recipes calling for apple brandy or applejack. All turned out well.

Cigars: Works well with a mild cigar.

Final Thoughts: This is a very nice and subtle apple brandy, especially for one that is only a year old.